Posted on 11/09/2006 11:14:24 AM PST by Ben Mugged
A new volcanic island has risen from the South Pacific near Tonga, according to reports from two vessels that passed the area.
The crew of the Maiken, a yacht that left the northern Tongan islands group of Vava'u in August, reported on their Web log on August 12 that they saw streaks of light, porous pumice stone floating in the water -- then "sailed into a vast, many-miles-wide belt of densely packed pumice."
They posted photos of huge "pumice rafts" that they encountered after passing Tonga's Late island while sailing toward Fiji.
"We were so fascinated and busy taking pictures that we plowed a couple of hundred meters into this surreal floating stone field before we realized that we had to turn back," wrote a crewman identified only as Haken.
The next day they spotted an active volcanic island, Haken wrote.
He said they could see the volcanic island clearly. "One mile in diameter and with four peaks and a central crater smoking with steam and once in a while an outburst high in the sky with lava and ashes. I think we're the first ones out here," he reported.
There was no official confirmation of a new island, either from Tonga's Ministry of Lands or the Tonga Defense Service.
Separately, fishing boat captain Siaosi Fenukitau reported seeing the volcanic island, the Matangitonga news Web site reported.
Richard Wunderman, editor of the Washington-based Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, said "a large pumice raft presumably from Tonga has been sweeping across Fiji, and we are trying to learn about its origins."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
seize it!
Global warming causes island creation. Proven fact.
IT' MINE!!!!!!!..........
I predict those new volcanos will help reverse global warming.
Oh no,
There goes Tokyo...
Source??
Is this where that Lost plane crashed?
Yum. Densely packed pumice! Make mine a large cup to go!
This is totally unsubstantiated rumor, until the TONGA MINISTRY OF LANDS confirms it!
LOL!!
Interesting, though.
Beat me to it! Great minds and all!
If you listen to the MSM we are destroying the world with global warming now and now is when an island appears. The island is the source.
/sarc.
If nearby, I'd claim it and start my on country -- just for banking purposes.
Get passports, currency, IP domain, etc.
Probably declare war on somebody, too, just for the aid.
Way cool...we live on an amazing planet!
Oops, I thought you were serious. Sorry.
Lots of talk of Photo's, but as usual, CNN is asleep at the wheel.
OOOHHHH, now we have somewhere to send the moderate Repubs now!!!!
Dibs!
Is this in the area where the US sub transiting between Guam and Austraila smacked into an underwater mountain a couple of years ago?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.